Chapter 371

Tears streamed down Evelyn's face, her expression twisted in agony and fury as she glared up at Julian. "Why did you take his life? Tell me why!"

Julian merely smirked, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I eliminate whoever I please. No explanations needed."

Evelyn's sobs suddenly transformed into hysterical laughter. Each salty tear that touched her lips carried the bitter taste of despair.

Collapsed on the cold ground, she cradled Liam's lifeless form, her arms supporting his head as she pressed her cheek against his chilling skin. Silent tears rained down onto his pale face.

No more screams. No more protests.

Just endless trembling as she clung to him, her body shaking violently while tears continued their relentless descent.

Taking a shuddering breath, she whispered through her raw throat, "Liam's gone. You'll never get hydronium now. You'll never find Cassandra either. Just kill me and be done with it."

"Where is Cassandra?" Julian demanded, his voice sharp with anger.

Evelyn tightened her embrace around Liam. For the first time, she understood the soul-crushing pain of losing someone irreplaceable.

The agony ran so deep that living seemed impossible. The world had lost all meaning.

"Kill me," she repeated, her voice breaking with desperation.

Julian strode forward, grabbing Evelyn's collar and yanking her upright. His icy gaze bore into hers. "Do you really think I'd grant you that mercy?"

Evelyn trembled violently, her eyes swollen and red. In a sudden burst of defiance, she provoked him deliberately. "Do it! Shoot me, you coward! You're nothing but scum, trash! A true monster would finish what he started!"

The taunt hit its mark. Julian immediately drew his pistol, pressing the cold barrel against Evelyn's forehead.

An odd sense of peace washed over her. Without flinching, she closed her eyes slowly. Her only wish now was to reunite with Liam in death, to find their parents together in whatever came after.

"I'm sorry, Liam," she whispered through fresh tears. "Wait for me, please."

She braced for the gunshot, her heart aching with unbearable pain yet yearning for the release it would bring.

"No!" A frantic shout shattered the moment.

Evelyn felt the gun being knocked away from her head. A familiar voice, laced with panic, pleaded, "Don't do this!"

Blinking through tears, Evelyn saw Julian standing before her.

He wrestled Julian's gun away, shoving Evelyn aside with surprising force. "Mr. Prescott, I beg you, spare her life."

Julian sneered at Evelyn. "No one insults me and lives to tell about it. She's made her choice."

Julian's gaze darted between Liam's motionless form and Evelyn's broken expression. He understood - if Liam died, Evelyn wouldn't survive either.

"Cassandra, stop provoking him," Julian urged desperately before dropping to check Liam's pulse. Finding the faintest flutter, he immediately began chest compressions.

Hope flared in Evelyn's chest. She scrambled to Liam's side without interfering with Julian's efforts. Gently grasping Liam's hand, she rubbed warmth into his cold fingers.

Holding her breath, Evelyn watched Liam's ashen face, her shimmering tears reflecting in the dim light.

In her heart, she made a silent vow: "Liam, if you survive this, I'll do anything. Anything at all."